Security blankets in the form of 911-dialing cell phones soon will be in the
hands of many Macomb County senior citizens.
The Macomb County Department of Senior Citizen Services has FREE cell phones
for seniors who can use them for safety or a medical emergency only.
Irene Schooler and Marjorie Bousson of Center Line, who were given phones
recently, said they will carry them in their purse wherever they go.
"I have a heart condition, so this is my security blanket," Schooler.
"This is a lot better than having to pay a monthly fee," Bousson said. "I can
take it with me in the car. This is nice."
Karen Bisdorf, assistant director of senior services, said her department saw
the need to provide some of the county's 140,000 seniors with a way to contact
an ambulance or police officer quickly from anywhere. Many seniors can't afford
the $60 to purchase a new phone or the monthly service charges.
"We hope they never have to use it," Bisdorf said.
A cell phone according to federal law must be programmed to dial 911 even if
it's not connected to a service, officials said. Seniors are welcome to purchase
a calling plan on their own and are responsible for maintaining its power.
Local police dispatchers who receive 911 calls from a cell cannot pinpoint the
exact location so callers have to tell them.
The county has received several hundred mobile phones, the bulk from Authorized
Cellular and Cellnet Communications. A waiting list of 200 is expected to be
erased as more donations are expected.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Department donated about 25 phones that were
confiscated from criminals or unclaimed stolen property.
Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel said arming more motorists with cell phones
benefits law enforcement because callers can notify police of an emergency on
the road.
Bisdorf said the program also helps seniors by putting them in contact with the
senior services department.
"For some of them, this is their first contact with us," she said. "They ask
about our other services."
The department encourages more companies and individuals to donate their used or
new phones.
Recipients must be 60 years old, although senior services officials will review
special cases under that age.
To donate or acquire a phone, call Macomb County Department of Senior Citizen
Services at (586) 469-6313.
©The Macomb Daily 2002
| 911 Cell Phones for Seniors
In an effort to provide increased safety for the seniors of Macomb
County, the Sheriff and Senior Citizen Services began the 911 Cell Phones
for Seniors in November 2001. Based on the Federal Trade Commission
standards that require every cell phone to maintain 911 Emergency call
capabilities even if there is no regular cellular service attached to the
phone, we began to collect usable cell phones, chargers and batteries from
citizens, police departments and cellular phone providers and to
redistribute them to the seniors of Macomb County. A strong link to the law
enforcement community was engaged and the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
helped to lunch a publicity campaign to familiarize citizens with the
program. Fourteen months after the
program was launched, the Department of Senior Citizen Services distributed
over 4,500 phones. More then 3,500 individuals has donated phones to the
program and asked for a tax filtering back to the program, indicating a
much-welcomed and appreciated enhancement of senior safety in Macomb County.
|
For More Information Contact:
Karen D. Bisdorf
Macomb County Senior Services
221885 Dunham Road
Clinton Township, MI 48036
Phone: ( 586) 469-7387
Fax: ( 586) 469-5578 |
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